N. J. Reform Congregations Conduct Membership Drive

September 14, 1932

Newark (Sep. 13)

Under the auspices of the Greater New York Committee of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Reform synagogues in New Jersey have united in a collective membership campaign. This is the first time in the history of the state that there is such a drive, which is expected to terminate with the advent of the High Holydays.

It is announced that throughout this campaign, the importance of not only the temple or synagogue will be stressed groups such as brotherhoods, sisterhoods, religious schools and young folks’ groups. Several hundred workers will spread the message of affiliation in leading centers such as this city, Jersey City, Paterson, the Oranges and Trenton. In Newark, the head of the activity is former County Prosecutor Jacob L. Newman, who is president of Temple B’nai Jeshurun, oldest Reform congregation in the state. Paterson workers have already been organized under the direction of Benjamin Greenberg.

It is announced that although the campaign is being conducted under Reform auspices, instructions have been given to the volunteer workers that under no consideration are they to try to proselytize among adherents of Orthodoxy in order to win them over to the Reform doctrine.